The Graduate Students' Union (GSU) at Memorial University of Newfoundland is an organization run for graduate students by graduate students. Founded in 1967, the GSU is one of Canada's oldest independently incorporated graduate student governments. Every graduate student at the University becomes a member of the GSU upon registration. Presently, the graduate student body consists of over 2000 full and part-time students, thereby comprising approximately 10% of the total student population at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

The Graduate Students' Union has two main functions: 1) to represent and protect the interests of the graduate students at all levels of university governance, and 2) to help enhance the quality of graduate student life at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Graduate student fees, presently $20 per semester per student, provide the GSU with an annual operating budget. These fees are used to run the GSU office, help finance social and academic events for graduate students, provide conference aid for students presenting at conferences, and to cover other operating expenses.

The Graduate Students' Union is run by a Board of Directors consisting of the five GSU Executive officers and one student representative from each academic unit with a graduate program. Additionally, graduate students who sit on various university committees regularly attend. The Board meets once a month to assist the Executive in guiding the development and direction of the organization. The Board meetings also give students a chance to raise concerns from their individual departments and in return, to receive advice or suggestions on problem solving. These meetings are the main line of communication between the Executive officers and the graduate student population at the University. It is for this reason, that the GSU needs an active and interested Board of Directors. Graduate students who are interested in getting involved are always welcome, and should speak to their department representative, or contact the GSU office.

The Graduate Students' Union is located in Feild Hall on the north side of campus. Operated by the GSU, Feild Hall is comprised of four floors: the top two floors for a graduate student residence, one floor for departmental graduate student offices and GSU offices, and the ground floor for Bitters - Restaurant and Lounge, the pub owned and operated by the GSU.

The Graduate Students' Union general office is located on the second floor of Feild Hall in room GH 2007. Office hours are posted outside the office door, on the answering service, and the website. You can reach the GSU by phone (709) 737-4395, by fax at (709) 737-3395, by email gsu@mun.ca, or by writing to Graduate Students' Union, Feild Hall, GH2007, 216 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3R5. Further information about the GSU can be obtained from the website at www.mun.ca/gsu.